Why is silence cancer’s best friend?

East London Programme Source: Analysis by London Health Observatory using Office for National Statistics data. In 2009, Cancerkin’s East London Programme was set up in response to a government report that found that the one year breast cancer mortality rates in northeast London were some of the highest in the UK.

The problems we faced Barriers to Awareness in northeast London: Language Stigma/taboo surrounding breast cancer Fear Embarrassment Cultural issues

How we tackle the problem Training student volunteers Reaching out to community projects Talks are tailored Using a ‘multiplier effect’ We train student volunteers taken from the East London community in breast health promotion.They reach out to community projects, GPs and health promotion agencies to organise talks and stalls promoting awareness of breast cancer. These are tailored to the audience, focussing on issues by borough and particular ethnic group, to make them interesting and informative. They can also be given in the participants’ first language. We encourage people to spread the message to family and friends, further involving the community.

How we measure improvement We collect data from women before and after talks and stalls. Our five questions: Before receiving information on breast cancer, how often did you check your breasts? Following Cancerkin’s presentation, how often will you check your breasts? Do you know more about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer? Do you feel more confident going to your GP with any concerns? Do you feel more confident attending your breast screening? We evaluate what women have gained from the talk by asking them five questions: Before receiving information on breast cancer, how often did you check your breasts? Following Cancerkin’s presentation, how often will you check your breasts? Do you know more about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer? Do you feel more confident going to your GP with any concerns? Do you feel more confident attending your breast screening?

Our findings 74% of people accessing our services identify as non-white British. 26% from a Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi background 22% as Black or Black British Since 2012, 74% of the people accessing our services and completing a feedback form have identified as non-white British; 26% of the people accessing the services identified as being from an Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi background and 22% as Black or Black British. 62% of people who attended an awareness session and completed a feedback form said they would increase the regularity with which they check their breasts, 91% felt that they knew more about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, 98% felt more confident approaching their GP with concerns and 91% felt more confident attending their breast screening. We have found that providing translated leaflets and feedback forms alongside our translated talks has made a difference to our ability to gain feedback.